Local

Local Tech Alumni and Psych Professor Weigh in on School Shootings

by Deirdre Blakeposted Dec 14 2012 9:45PM

Parents of students at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut described the terror they faced as they raced to the school that was the scene of Friday's deadly shooting, hoping to find their children safe. Police eventually led students from the building, telling them to close their eyes as they walked away from the scene. In all, 20 kids under the age of 10 are among the victims.

University of Mary Washington Psychology Professor, Dr. Holly Schiffrin says parents need to hug their kids and stop sweating the small stuff. She says often parents yell about lunchboxes and backpacks and never think about the fact that they may not see their child at the end of the day.

She is urging parents to talk to their kids if they have questions, but to limit their exposure to media coverage of the tragic event. She says parents should lead by example, because kids often mimic their behavior.

Friday's tragedy makes the Connecticut school shooting the second worst in U.S. history, after the 2007 Virginia tech massacre. Alumni Ashley Oliver of Fredericksburg tells WFLS that she is saddened by the news and says it made memories from five years ago come crashing back. Oliver imagines that like then, these people will likely wonder how they as people, parents, teachers a school and even as a state can go on. She says that healing will come in time and sends her thoughts and prayers to the victim's and their families.